Roscoe Gardner Bartlett (b. June 3, 1926) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Maryland's 6th congressional district. Bartlett served in the House from 1992-2013. Bartlett ran for re-election in 2012 and was defeated by Democratic challenger John Delaney on November 6, 2012.[1]

According to a March 2012 article in Roll Call, Bartlett was one of the top 10 most vulnerable incumbents.[2]

Biography

The information about this individual is current as of when his or her last campaign ended. See anything that needs updating? Send a correction to our editors

Bartlett was born in 1926 in Moreland, KY. He earned his B.S. from Columbia Union College and both his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in 1947, 1948, and 1952, respectively. Prior to his political career, Bartlett worked as a professor of anatomy, physiology, and zoology at the University of Maryland and Howard University College of Medicine.[4]

Issues

Abortion

In 2001, Bartlett sponsored a constitutional amendment that would ban abortions, with the only exception being to protect the life of the mother.[6]

Earmarks

A Washington Post investigation in February 2012 revealed that 33 members of Congress helped direct more than $300 million in earmarks to public projects in close proximity to commercial and residential real estate owned by the lawmakers or their family members.[7] According to the report, Bartlett, has helped secure about $4.5 million toward improving Interstate 270 and Buckeystown Pike. From there, Buckeystown Pike leads south and west to Bartlett's home, his farm and rental properties that earn the lawmaker up to $150,000 a year.[8]

Specific votes

Fiscal Cliff

Bartlett voted against the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was one of 151 Republicans that voted against the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257/167 vote on January 1, 2013.[9]

According to a March 30, 2012 article from The Washington Post, that notes the top 10 incumbents who could lose their primaries, Bartlett was the 8th most likely incumbent to lose his primary.[13] Bartlett faced significant competition from seven competitors and a newly re-drawn district after redistricting in the Republican primary.[13][13][14]

Media

Campaign Issues

The following were several issues that Bartlett highlighted on his campaign website.[17]

The Economy and Jobs

Excerpt: "Roscoe Bartlett believes that to get our economy growing again, American entrepreneurs must be given the freedom and ability to take risks and create jobs. That’s why Congressman Bartlett supports lower taxes, less regulation, and a balanced budget to get government out of the way and let the American free market system do what it does best; create more jobs and innovation than anywhere else in the world."[18]

Healthcare

Excerpt: "Roscoe Bartlett knows that the solution to America’s healthcare crisis is not more government mandates. It is empowering consumers to make their own decisions and taking important steps to restrain costs."[19]

The Second Amendment

Excerpt: "The Second Amendment to our Constitution could not be more clear; law-abiding citizens have the right to own and possess firearms for their own protection."[20]

Taxes

Excerpt: "Roscoe Bartlett knows that raising taxes takes money out of the hands of the very people who spur innovation and create economic growth in this country. He understands that unleashing the American entrepreneurial spirit and incentivizing investment and hard work is the only way to get our economy back on track."[21]

Analysis

Congressional staff salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Bartlett paid his congressional staff a total of $1,005,656 in 2011. He ranked 41st on the list of the highest paid Republican Representative Staff Salaries and he ranked 155th overall of the highest paid Representative Staff Salaries in 2011. Overall, Maryland ranks 11th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[25]

Staff bonuses

According to an analysis by CNN, Bartlett was one of nearly 25 percent of House members who gave their staff bonuses in 2012. Bartlett's staff was given an apparent $9,000.00 in bonus money.[26]

Net worth

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Bartlett's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $2,432,016 and $8,180,000. That averages to $5,306,008, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican Representatives in 2010 of $7,561,133.[27]

Political Positions

Each year, National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted, as compared to other members, in the previous year. More information about the analysis process can be found on the vote ratings page.

2012

According to the data released in 2013, Bartlett was ranked the 209th most conservative representative during 2012.[28]

2011

According to the data released in 2012, Roscoe Bartlett was ranked the 209th most conservative representative during 2011.[29]

Percentage voting with party

November 2011

Roscoe Bartlett voted with the Republican Party 88.4% of the time, which ranked 209 among the 242 House Republican members as of November 2011.[30]

Personal

Bartlett has been married to his wife, Ellen, for more than 45 years. They have 10 children, 17 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.[31]